Eighteen months on from the Judicial Council report, little progress has been made on the cost of business insurance, while motorists are waiting for greater cuts to their premiums

Bridget Delaney’s action questions the legal basis of the guidelines, which have resulted in damages awarded being reduced by 40 per cent

Seán Fleming, the minister of state with responsibility for insurance at the Department of Finance, said he wanted insurers to know that the government was moving to address the issue

The proposed 50 per cent cut to injury awards means that continued delays in reducing premiums are highly likely to further damage the credibility of Irish insurers

Judicial Council voted to reduce minor awards while raising rate for catastrophic injuries, but did not agree to the 80 per cent reduction sought by business owners

Business owners will be watching closely as Judicial Council will meet next month to consider proposed guidelines